Case Study: Research Policy Interface Thematic Group
Ireland’s Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030
Government of Ireland, Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030
Academics and Institutional Affiliation:
Energy Policy and Modelling Group, Sustainability Institute, MAREI, University College Cork
Evidence of policy outcome referencing the role of the research:
Not directly - Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030
Research undertaken that informed or underpinned the policy outcome:
University College Cork’s EPMG, through the TIMES-Ireland Model (TIM), supplied the core energy-system modelling and scenario analysis that framed least-cost decarbonisation pathways, emissions trajectories, and sectoral policy trade-offs underlying the NECP 2021-2030 projections.
Ireland’s Climate Change Assessment (ICCA) – UCC Contributions
In the 2023 Ireland’s Climate Change Assessment series, University College Cork researchers played pivotal leadership and authorship roles in two volumes.
Volume 4 – Realising the Benefits of Transition and Transformation: Co-led by Hannah Daly (Co-Principal Investigator) with Róisín Moriarty as Lead Author, this volume examines how Ireland can maximise the social, economic, health, and environmental benefits of the low-carbon transition. It synthesises evidence on co-benefits, equity considerations, and the opportunities for innovation and wellbeing that arise from climate action.
Volume 2 – Achieving Climate Neutrality by 2050: Directed by Brian Ó Gallachóir and Paul Deane (Principal Investigators), this volume sets out cost-effective and technically feasible pathways for Ireland to reach net-zero emissions. It draws on advanced energy-system and economy-wide modelling to evaluate technology choices, sectoral transitions, and policy levers needed to meet the 2050 target.
Together, these contributions provided both the analytical evidence base for Ireland’s decarbonisation pathways and the strategic framing to ensure that climate action delivers broad societal benefits alongside emissions reductions.
SDGs impacted:
SDG 3, SDG 11, SDG 12 & SDG 13
